Confidentiality
What is said in the group stays in the group, except as shared with Q Christian Staff members for purposes of managing the groups and ensuring that these guidelines are followed. The identities and personal information of participants are not to be shared publicly or privately, in person or electronically, with anyone outside of the group other than Q Christian staff members. The safety of those who may not be publicly out of the closet is our utmost priority. Participants are not required to reveal their real name or use their video chat function if they do not feel comfortable doing so. Leaders or participants who compromise the identity of other participants may be asked to leave the Community Group.
Safety
If someone in the group is experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts of self harm, leaders are required to immediately direct them to Crisis Resources and notify a Q Christian staff member. Q Christian will attempt to help direct the individual to available resources and/or mental health professionals in their area.
Safe Community Guidelines
Q Christian Fellowship (QCF) cultivates spaces where people can experience the freedom to be their authentic self, to pursue spiritual connection with others, and to grow in an environment that celebrates differences and diversity. We acknowledge that the cultivation of safety within the Q Christian Fellowship community requires high levels of intentionality and ownership. It is our hope that the following guidelines will give the Q Christian Fellowship community tangible tools to primarily prevent or secondarily address any incidents of sexual offense, above and beyond applicable legal requirements, that threaten the sense of safety that is so vital to our community.
The creation and promotion of this set of Safe Community Guidelines recognizes human frailties. These guidelines are not meant to imply a lack of trust within our Q Christian Fellowship community members, but to communicate our deep commitments to protect each other and to cultivate safety. We recognize the vulnerability that can manifest in community where people may be experiencing new-found freedom in their sense of sexuality or gender, where people come from diverse backgrounds, including those who are survivors of sexual violence, and where people are sharing their lives with significant levels of emotional and spiritual intimacy.
One of the core values of our Centered Set of Sexual Ethics at Q Christian Fellowship is mutuality. We intentionally seek to share power where everyone feels empowered to make a difference in the community. We recognize, however, that individuals affiliated with or directly employed by the Organization may be perceived and/or granted a sense of authority that inevitably impacts how we cultivate a sense of safety together.
The following will not be tolerated in Q Community Groups:
-
Racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, religious intolerance, ageism, and all other forms of discrimination
-
Physical, verbal, mental or any other form of abuse towards a participant or leader
-
Sexual harassment, inappropriate/unwelcome comments and behaviors
-
Disruptive or disrespectful behavior that derails conversation in the group
-
Misgendering- Participants and leaders will respect the names and pronouns of other participants and leaders
-
Informal counseling or unsolicited advice by those not professionally trained to provide mental health or pastoral care.
Any activity which harms or disrupts this environment of radical welcome or is in violation of the guidelines may result in loss of access to the community groups. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
-
Sharing or sending illegal, obscene, profane, defamatory, or threatening content via public or private forums;
-
Sharing or sending spam, nudes, or other unsolicited advertisements for goods or services;
-
Impersonating another individual;
-
Using the community groups to make sexual advances toward participants/volunteers/staff via public or private forums’
-
Violating participant privacy (posting private communications, participant information, etc.);
-
Sharing or sending references - either specific statements or innuendos - to recreational drugs and/or alcohol use.
-
Attacking Q Christian Fellowship’s mission, policies, direction or belief statements;
-
Promoting Ex-gay/Side X ideologies or organizations over public or private forums
-
Sharing or sending sexual and/or sexually suggestive content to community group participants, leaders, and/or QCF staff